Beginning February 15, 2015, Jeffco Open Space will implement a climbing closure in Clear Creek Canyon Park. Four crags and 12 routes used for climbing in Clear Creek Canyon Park will be closed for the protection of nesting golden eagles. This seasonal closure through July 31, 2015 will ensure compliance with the Federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.

To minimize disturbance to golden eagles, the following areas will be closed: Stumbling Block, Bumbling Stock, and Skinny Legs/Blonde Formation. These crags are all within one-quarter mile and within sight of a nesting area that has a bolted climbing route directly below it. These areas are located west of tunnel one in Clear Creek Canyon.

Jeffco Open Space raptor monitoring volunteers, natural resources staff and park rangers will monitor this site and enforce the closure. If the pair of eagles does not show signs of nesting in the identified areas by May 15, 2015, the seasonal closure will be lifted so that climbing can take place in this area.

Violations of this closure may result in a fine of $100,000, imprisonment, or both. For more information on The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668c), enacted in 1940 visit: fws.gov/midwest/midwestbird/ea...

Description

1 trad line, 2 bolted lines (11a-11b/c) both with 2 bolt lower off anchors. The routes could be a little cleaner, and this makes the climbing a little more dicey. This wall is in the sun for most of the day until late in the afternoon, but with only 2 routes, not really an extended stay here. Also there is a lot of noise, being a roadside (literally) crag. Be careful....

Getting There

Located 0.5 miles west of the 1st tunnel, at 270 mile post. Large pullout on the south side of the road. From here walk up the canyon about 300 feet. The crag is on the north side of the road and there is one route on each of the 2 tiers of the crag. The approach is VERY loose so watch for loose rocks tumbling down onto the road, could be VERY DANGEROUS. Be careful.

This route is the route located on the upper tier of 'The Blonde Formation'. Although the guide says 7 bolts for this route, I came across only 6. The scramble to the base of the route includes a lot of loose rock and a 4th class section onto the actual rock, this is a bad place for your belayer to be if you fall, so perhaps try to belay from the ground somehow, may be difficult. The first bolt is a little ways up so be careful. This route I give 1 star if it were a little cleaner, as it was cov...[more]Browse More Classics in CO

I did a trad route yesterday that climbs the right side of the arete. I combined both tiers in one pitch and found a few thoughtful 5.9+ moves and plenty of loose rock but overall a really fun route. We continued the day by hiking up to Stumbling Block.